Jackson Chapel Church

Bro. Gary Fant got the morning worship service started off with “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms” and “Jesus, Hold My Hand.” After the congregational singing, Bro. Dennis blessed us with a beautiful song titled “Master of the Sea.” Bro. Dennis’ text came from Acts 4:11-12. If we, as Christians, are going to make it to heaven, we’re going to have to give up some of the things Satan uses to bind us. There is only one way to heaven and that is through Jesus Christ. There is absolutely no other short cut, and we can’t bypass Jesus Christ to get to heaven. Jesus Christ wants everyone to make it to heaven, but we’ve got to live by the commandments in the Word of God. We also need to stop letting Satan convince us that there is a better way to get to heaven, because there is no other way. As Christians, we also need to do whatever it takes to get to heaven. We will never accomplish our home in heaven without Jesus Christ in our lives.

Bro. Gary Fant got the evening service started off with “I Can Tell You the Time,” “At Calvary” and “I’m Too Near Home to Turn Back Now.” Cameron McGhar blessed us with “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Lexi Clark and Julie Solis blessed us with “Jesus Loves Me,” and Bro. Dennis blessed us with “If I Could Telephone Heaven.” Bro. Dennis’ text came from Numbers 12:1-2. As Christians, we need to realize that every time we do something that is contrary to the Word of God, God calls our name to let us know that we have done something wrong. We need to know that God wants us to have that one-on-one relationship so that when we do something wrong, all we have to do is ask Jesus Christ to forgive us. We also have to know that if we want to see good things happen in our churches, we all have to pull in the same direction; if we don’t, our churches will not grow. We have to be of the same mind, and in one accord. If we Christians will do that, there is no end to what God can do.

The service ended with several coming to pray.

Happy anniversary to Billy and Shirley Burnett.

Please remember these as you pray this week: the family of Kathy Waites, the Coburn family, the Barbee family, Juanita Wilkins, Glenda Hill, Juanita Wyatt, Freddie Mayfield, the Hilyer family, Carol Smith, Janice Cobb, Melba Adams, Billy Wyatt, the Davenport family, Myra Davis, our lost loved ones and our service men and women.

Upcoming events: Oct. 31: Trunk or Treat beginning at 7 p.m.

Christ Independent Methodist Church

On this beautiful fall Youth Sunday, evidence of God’s glory was with us all along the way. It was a day like this that inspired the poet to write his inspirational words titled “October’s Bright Blue Weather.” The dogwood, sourwood and maples are flaunting their fall colors, competing with the glory of the goldenrod.

Our service began with the congregational singing of “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing,” “I Will Sing of the Mercies” and “God Is So Good.”

In keeping with Youth Sunday, our youth, under the direction of Mrs. Laurel Lee Adams, performed admirably in leading our morning worship. She filled the pulpit and brought us an exceptionally elegant message titled “God Is Here,” based on scripture from Isaiah exhorting us to “fear not,” and the Gospel of Matthew, which promises, “Lo, for I am with you always, even to the end of the world.”

God does not change; we can count on him. He never changes his mind to cut us loose. Referencing our sermon title, the Bible gives examples of God’s presence on earth: he created the earth, he walked with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden and spoke to Moses from the burning bush. He delivered Daniel from the lion’s den, and walked with him in the fiery furnace; he was born in a stable in Bethlehem and had conversations with Abraham, Jacob and Elijah.

He will help us and lead us if we ask him, but he does not force his will on us. He wants us to ask by calling on him. God always keeps his word, and he will be here physically in the end times. He tells us in Revelation 20:12-13, “And behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.”

Assisting Mrs. Adams in today’s Youth Sunday program were Dylan Payton and Anna and Nate Adams. We are proud of our youth and their contribution to our church family.

Our prayer list: Dr. Mac Stinson, Carl Glass, Opal Miller, Lora Haley, Cindy McCavitt, Judy Atkinson, Cathy Lufta, Shea Simms in Kuwait, Robbie Houston in the Middle East, our members who are traveling, Christians worldwide, little Israel, our country, our community, our church and each other.

Our youth will have a lock-in for children ages 10-18 at the church on Friday night from 8:30 p.m. until 8:30 a.m. You are welcome to join us. Dress for outdoor activities.

Continue to pray for our nation and the upcoming election. The election is less than one month away. This election may well determine the future of our nation forever. Pray fervently for guidance and vote accordingly. Have a blessed week.

Mount Carmel No. 1

God’s grace has brought us through some bad times and heartaches. Our hearts are deeply saddened this week by the death of a precious former pastor of our church, the Rev. Ricky Coburn, who pastored here in 2009. We loved Bro. Ricky and Belda, and he will always hold a special place in our hearts here at Mount Carmel.

We celebrated Pastor and Staff Appreciation Day on Sunday. It was also Old-fashioned Day. All of our teachers and offices were recognized, along with our pastor and his wife. Following the service, we enjoyed lunch and good fellowship.

Bro. Derrell had the children’s attention with his “Sermon in a Sack” as he explained that old things have passed away and we are new creatures in Jesus. Using a pumpkin, he explained that the light inside the pumpkin is the smile of a Christian.

The morning message was taken from Ephesians 5:15-16: “The Disciplined Use of Time.” How do you use the time God has given you? The apostle Paul tells us to use our time wisely. “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time because the days are evil.” You are in control of your time. Set your mind on things above, not on worldly things, and spend your time wisely. Your time on earth is limited, and death has no respect for age.

Our Sunday evening service was filled with great pride and emotion as we observed the ordination service for Bro. Chad Foshee. Thanks to all who had a part in the service. We are thankful for the stand for Christ that Chad has taken. God bless you, Chad.

Thanks to all who had a part in the making of the children’s Pumpkin Patch trip a success. Trunk-or-Treat will be on Oct. 31 at 7 p.m. We hope this will be an outreach effort for our church, providing the children of our church and community a safe place to trick-or-treat.

The Christmas Child Shoebox Project is scheduled for Nov. 12. Please fill your boxes and bring them to the church on this date for the Blessing of the Boxes.

Please pray for our church, the lost, the sick, our troops and our country. God is good.